Monday, December 15, 2014

Slip and Fall Prevention

Of the many causes of injury in the work place, slips and falls are one of the most preventable. As an employer or an employee, it is important that you take precautions for preventing slips and falls from occuring. In addition to the employer holding worker's compensation insurance at the Lake of the Ozarks, both the employer and employees can work together to make the workplace a safer environment. Here are some slip and fall prevention tips for you to consider:

Spills

The best way to prevent injuries from falls at work is with teamwork. Design your slip-prevention plan to include the following components:

Spill clean up

Proper floor maintenance procedures

Suitable shoes for employees

Floor inspections

Appropriate use of mats and rugs

Implement accident response actions

Make sure that each person of the team knows how to clean up spills properly. Follow these basic steps:

First, use regular paper towels to wipe up the spill.

If you're cleaning tile, rub an abrasive cleanser into the tile.

Follow with hot water and a mop.

Mats & Rugs

Mats help keep grease or water from getting on the floor, and rugs are used in entryways to collect moisture and dirt from shoes. Honeycomb mats are great for dishwashing areas, around ice machines or on cooking lines. Rugs are perfect for breezeways, inside the front door or any public area which accumulates moisture, dirt or grease. It is important to keep all mats and rugs clean. Rugs should be changed out frequently, especially during snowy or rainy weather. Most mats can be cleaned with hot water and degreasing cleanser.

Shoes

Stay safe at work by wearing anti-slip shoes. Did you know the most athletic type tennis shoes do not have the anti-slip tread needed when working around water and grease? Expensive basketball or other sports shoes do not work well at work. Instead, wear shoes with slip-resistant soles when working in areas where there is a possibility of grease or water on the floor. They come in many types, styles and sizes, and the cost is signigicantly less than the name-brand tennis shoes. Ask your supervisor where you can get the right shoes for the job!